The Boston Parks Department is sponsoring a guided local hike on December 21 at 4 pm, titled “A Christmas Gift from the City of Trees,” exploring the significance of why Boston receives a tree from Halifax each year. The walk begins on the Boston Common, 139 Tremont Street. For more information visit https://www.boston.gov/calendar/hike-boston-park-ranger-holiday-program-bc-0
This isn’t your typical Wreath of the Day post, but The Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit has announced that on November 10 the Boston Park Rangers bid farewell to a legendary member of their Mounted Patrol Unit.
Winston, a 17 year veteran of the unit was put to rest after suffering a brief illness. Well known as the “anchor horse’ of the operation prior to his retirement in 2020, Winston’s storied history included countless public encounters that drew attention wherever he patrolled. He never failed to leave an impression with children of all ages. His steadfast performance over his many years of service to The City of Boston and its parks will always remain a part of his legacy.
Making the public feel safer, more secure and happier when visiting our parks, was part of his role. Winston’s quiet, yet bold demeanor was characteristic of why he excelled at it. Beyond his daily patrols, participating in ceremonial functions and being the center of attention during “Horse Of Course Programs” were a natural fit from the time he joined the team. For those of us who were privileged to be partnered with him, we knew he enjoyed it as well.
Despite the immeasurable loss of Winston, we are grateful for having had the opportunity to work together with him and experience his remarkable service and unique talents. Winston’s loss will be felt by all who knew, admired and loved him.
Chief Gene Survillo gives thanks to The Friends of The Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit and to all of those who have reached out with their thoughtful support and response. Special thanks go to Doctors Nostrant and Shen and the staff at The Northbridge Equine Associates, along with Doctors Kirckerhead and Lehmann and the staff at The Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. We are forever grateful for their high-quality, compassionate, personalized care.
Hike Boston is a week-day day-time hiking series where we invite you to join us for a walk in one of Boston’s parks or urban wilds.
Boston Park Rangers, Urban Wilds staff, and Parks employees will provide formal and informal discussions or tours during the hikes. Some hikes may be more focused on taking a walk in the park, while others may be more informational.
This event is an interpretive program – a tour led by a Boston Park Ranger. Meet at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and Arlington Street. For more information visit www.boston.gov
The Friends of the Boston Park Ranger Mounted Unit will host the Fifth Annual Derby Dash on Thursday, May 4 from 5:30 – 7:30 to benefit our beloved horses. The party will be held at 200 Clarendon Street. Tickets (price last year $150 per ticket – price this year to be determined) will be available online at http://savebostonshorses.org/events/
And yes, there will be hats!
Please join the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit for a special evening to support our Park Rangers’ Horses. Premium seating for the Wednesday evening, October 17 performance of War Horse at the Boston Opera House, with a reception to follow, is available for $150 per ticket. Please make checks payable to the Justine Mee Liff Fund for Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit, or by major credit card by calling Ashley Helie at 617-522-2700, no later than June 30. She may also be emailed at ahelie@emeraldnecklace.org.
The play, winner of 5 Tony Awards including Best Play 2011, is a remarkable tale of courage, loyalty and friendship. As World War One begins, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped from England to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man’s land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home. This powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness that is currently playing to packed houses in London and in New York. At its heart are astonishing life sized puppets created by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, that bring to life breathing, galloping, charging horses strong enough for men to ride.
Please join The Honorable Thomas M. Menino and the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit on Monday, November 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 for cocktails and light fare to honor Henry Lee and Betsy Shure Gross for establishing and founding the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit. The event will take place at Parkman House, 33 Beacon Street in Boston, and space is limited. $500 per ticket. Make checks payable to the Justine Mee Liff Fund for Friends of the Boston Park Rangers, and mail to Emerald Necklace Conservancy, 125 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115. RSVP by telephone to Ashley Helie at 617-522-2700, or email ahelie@emeraldnecklace.org by October 24, if possible.
Mrs. Angela Menino and Commissioner Antonia Pollak cordially invite you to the 15th Annual Rose Garden Party to benefit Park ARTS on Thursday, June 16, from 5:30 – 8:00 at The Rose Garden, Back Bay Fens, Boston. Garden party attire is enthusiastically encouraged – pictured below is the queen of the garden party hat, none other than HRH Queen Elizabeth II, not currently scheduled to attend (thank you www.telegraph.co.uk.) Wear a hat to enter the Hats Galore! contest, where judges will choose their favorites in the following categories: Best Garden Party Hat, Most Creative Hat, Most Elegant Hat, and Just for Men Hat. This year’s event is generously supported by the Boston Pops. Individual tickets $125, or be a sponsor at $500, or patron at $1,500. To reserve and make credit card payment by telephone, call 617-961-3039, or send a check made payable to The Fund for Parks & Recreation: Park ARTS, and mail to the Rose Garden Party Committee c/o Boston Parks and Recreation Department, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118. Parking will be available on Park Drive and Agassiz Drive, and there will be Boston Park Rangers to direct you.
The Garden Club of the Back Bay web site has a new link on the right hand side of our home page – the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers. The Boston Mounted Horse Project: Preserving Boston’s Park Ranger Mounted Unit, can be found at www.SaveBostonsHorses.org. The friends group, led by Julie Donahue and Cokie Perry, has applied for independent non-profit status, but on a temporary basis, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy is serving as the fiduciary agent for the friends and welcomes donations payable to the Justine Mee Liff Fund, designated for the Boston Park Ranger Program. Checks may be sent to the Emerald Necklace Conservancy at 125 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115.
The Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit was created in 1982 through an initial effort by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. It has since grown into a program that once boasted more than twelve patrol horses and twenty-four year-round park rangers plus the addition of seasonal rangers. However, due to budget constraints, the program has been halved and is under consideration of total disbandment.
When the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit faced disbandment last year, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy raised $140,000 in donations to maintain the unit through the fiscal year 2010 and the early part of 2011. The efforts of the Conservancy saved jobs and protected the safety of the park system by providing funding to local enforcement to continue providing mounted security to the Emerald Necklace.
Now, facing a renewed effort to cease the mounted program, the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers have taken up the cause. Through fund-raising and donations, they hope to reach their goal of providing the city of Boston with $155,000 to maintain the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit through the fiscal year, and further prove the mounted program’s importance and necessity in maintaining the safety of Boston’s park system. Some very nifty aprons are available for purchase, too.
The Friends of the Boston Park Ranger Mounted Unit invites you to a Children’s Tea and Fashion Show on Sunday, February 13 at the Four Seasons Hotel, 200 Boylston Street, Boston, from 2:30 – 5. Mrs. Angela Menino is Honorary Chair, and the event MC is J.C. Monahan of Channel %. Enjoy coloring and stickers, cookie decorating, adopt-a-stuffed-pony, photo opportunities with a Boston Park Ranger, an auction, and a raffle. Fashion presentation by Pollywogs.  $85 adults, $45 child, $850/table. Children 2 and younger are free. Contact Ashley at 617-522-2700. Checks may be made out to Justine Mee Liff Fund for Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit and mailed to the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit, c/o The Emerald Necklace Conservancy, 125 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115. Names will be held at the door.
Mrs. Angela Menino and Commissioner Antonia Pollak cordially invite you to the 13th Annual Rose Garden Party to benefit Park ARTS on Wednesday, June 24, from 5:30 – 8:00 at The Rose Garden, Back Bay Fens, Boston. Garden party attire is enthusiastically encouraged. Wear a hat to enter the Hats Galore! contest, where judges will choose their favorites in the following categories: Best Garden Party Hat, Most Creative Hat, Most Elegant Hat, and Just for Men Hat. Individual tickets $125. To reserve and make credit card payment by telephone, call 617-961-3039, or send a check made payable to The Fund for Parks & Recreation: Park ARTS, and mail to the Rose Garden Party Committee c/o Boston Parks and Recreation Department, 1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118. Parking will be available on Park Drive and Agassiz Drive, and there will be Boston Park Rangers to direct you.
